I'll second that! Any word on a release date other than "coming soon"? Or a price? I still haven't received an invite to buy from Fractal and the Helix has already tempted me before this announcement. Something to think about.

It's going to be more like months from now, rather than weeks. MSRP is $399. But this isn't really a direct alternative to an AX8. Going with Helix Native would mean committing to always playing through a computer and buying a separate floor controller. If you're not comfortable with that you'd be better off with the AX8, especially if you're already on the waitlist.

Nice That's pretty spiff. It's also a sort of gateway drug to the real thing IMHO. If folks like the plugin, they may want the hardware for live work / band practice etc. The folks than can't afford the hardware can hopefully afford the software. Of course piracy is always an issue, but that's what ilock is for I guess I sure wish kemper and axe fx would go ahead and make a plugin. Won't happenbbut I can dream

Kemper doesn't even have a software editor, so a plugin is a big stretch.

It's going to be more like months from now, rather than weeks. MSRP is $399. But this isn't really a direct alternative to an AX8. Going with Helix Native would mean committing to always playing through a computer and buying a separate floor controller. If you're not comfortable with that you'd be better off with the AX8, especially if you're already on the waitlist.

Also: the price for Helix Native is $99 for Helix owners.

Well, I was actually thinking of getting a Helix instead of the Fractal FX8 and the announcement of Helix Native makes it that much more tempting. But I am going to hold out for a bit longer I think. Thanks Rammikin.

It really is ridiculous that anyone should have to wait for any longer than a month for a Fractal product. I have been waiting since last spring.

Cool stuff! Although I don't see much of a reason to buy this if you already own a Helix. DAW integration is nice but you can already re-amp with the Helix by just recording a dry track. But I guess that's why it's so cheap for Helix owners

Hmm the fx8 and helix aren't the same kind of device. I thought you were waiting for an ax8. Fractal is prioritizing ax8 production over the fx8.

Yeah, I got on the list for the FX8 rather than the AX8 or a full blown AXE FX because all I really wanted was a massive pedalboard of fx in one unit. I really wasn't that interested in the modeling.But the Helix is right about the same price as the FX8, includes modeling and has more flexibility for recording. And I wouldn't have to wait.As I said, the modeling didn't really interest me, but if I had it , I would most probably use it. Especially if I can get it in the same price range as the FX8. It just seems like a bonus deal.And I am a bit baffled as to how Fractal can do well in the market if they can't keep up with demand. I have wonder how many sales Fractal has lost to Line 6 and others because of this.

They have lost quite a bit of sales to be sure. But they are more concerned with protecting their IP than growth. It's a boutique company still. Piracy fears seem to keep them from going "native" and releasing a plugin. So folks just have to wait

He could of course license the technology to a much larger builder, but that would mean sharing profits. At this point, he doesn't see the need. He sells every unit he can built and has more orders than he can fill. That's a happy place to be for him evidently

QUOTE (AK Rich @ Jan 23 2017, 01:08 PM)

Yeah, I got on the list for the FX8 rather than the AX8 or a full blown AXE FX because all I really wanted was a massive pedalboard of fx in one unit. I really wasn't that interested in the modeling.But the Helix is right about the same price as the FX8, includes modeling and has more flexibility for recording. And I wouldn't have to wait.As I said, the modeling didn't really interest me, but if I had it , I would most probably use it. Especially if I can get it in the same price range as the FX8. It just seems like a bonus deal.And I am a bit baffled as to how Fractal can do well in the market if they can't keep up with demand. I have wonder how many sales Fractal has lost to Line 6 and others because of this.

The Helix and Kemper are starting to cut in to their market a bit imho so they have had to adjust some pricing. There is a good chunk of profit in those units and they are still using a monochrome display. You'd think there would be a color display, if not a touch screen color display. I'm guessing that's coming in the next rev to compete with that lovely screen on the helix.

I"m still waiting for someone to code a kemper profile loader plugin Amazed nobody has broken off from kemper and gone rogue.

QUOTE (AK Rich @ Feb 4 2017, 03:29 PM)

Nice! If I remember correctly, that is 300 to 400 bucks less than what it was when I got on the waiting to buy list.

Here is a vid comparing the HELIX and AX8 with the knobs set to noon on both. IT's Ola of course The axe does seem to have less top end fizz and a bit more oomph in the low end. But again, no eq, just set to neutral.

The Helix and Kemper are starting to cut in to their market a bit imho so they have had to adjust some pricing.

We're talking about the fx8, not the ax8. They are very different devices and the price adjustment is only for the fx8.

By the way, there is NFW Fractal is losing ax8 sales to Kemper when the ax8 sells for $700 less . Kemper on the other hand must be feeling pressure to lower their prices. As great as a Kemper profiler is, it's currently seriously overpriced.

At the risk of sounding like a "I told you so" , Sweetwater and MusiciansFriend have just dropped their Kemper prices by $200. Even after that, it's still too high, but it shows they know the price is a problem.